"That everyone be subject to the higher authorities; for there is no authority that does not come from God, and the existing authorities have been instituted of God. That is why the one who opposes the authority resists the order that God has established, and those who resist will attract a condemnation on themselves. It is not for a good action, it is for a bad one, that the magistrates are to be feared. Do you want to fear authority? Do it well, and you will have his approval. The magistrate is a servant of God for your good. But if you do evil, fear; for it is not in vain that he carries the sword, being a servant of God to exert vengeance and to punish the one who does evil. It is therefore necessary to be subject, not only for fear of punishment, but also for reason of conscience"